Harvey Gauthier was the standout scorer for Chorale de Roanne in their match on Breton soil, contributing 16 points, while Aaron Levarity earned the highest performance rating with 22.
This promotion back to the top tier of French basketball marks a significant personal achievement for coach TJ Parker, who joined the Loire club last November after a stint with Bayern Munich. Under his guidance, Chorale de Roanne has demonstrated remarkable form, winning 18 of their last 20 games.
Visibly emotional during the post-match press conference, as reported by Le Progrès, the younger of the Parker brothers shared his feelings:
“I experienced a tragedy on October 5th when I lost my father […]. This title is for him; I owe him my career, my character, everything. It’s thanks to him that I am where I am today. The group responded from my very first day in Roanne. The team always knew how to react, to move forward, and they always listened, even when we were discussing negative things after victories. We played like a team of veterans who knew how to control the game. My players were always attentive. With them, everyone was happy to come to work at the club. The president did everything to ensure the club returned to the Elite, and Chorale de Roanne deserves it. This promotion to the Elite was the first objective. Chorale de Roanne also deserves to return to European competition later on.”
Chorale de Roanne boasts a rich history in French basketball, having experienced several ascents and descents between the top two divisions. The club had been relegated to Pro B in 2024. This latest championship marks their third title in the second division of French basketball.
